Hard flush airplane shelter

ABSTRACT

A shelter for airplanes characterized by being flush to the ground when closed thereby being virtually invisible, and by being highly resistive to high energy explosive impact. The shelter is comprised of: a reinforced walled subsurface enclosure having a plurality of fixed columns to support a roof located such that an airplane can be lowered between the columns; a roof supported by a plurality of telescoping supports about its periphery such that the roof can be raised to a level higher than an airplane when the airplane is at ground level and lowered to be flush with the ground thus closing the subsurface enclosure and being supported by the fixed columns; and a floor suspended from the roof whereon an airplane can be placed, said floor having holes therein over the fixed columns such that when the roof is raised, the floor and airplane will be at ground level with the tops of the fixed cloumns being below the floor, and when the roof is lowered, the fixed columns will pass through the holes in the floor as the floor descends passing alongside the airplane to support the roof in its fully lowered position. The shelter for airplanes disclosed being further provided with sealable ducts for the intake of air and outlet of exhaust fumes so that the engine of the airplane contained therein may be started when the shelter is in the closed position for maintenance and instant readiness for takeoff after attack.

limited J Averill ttes tent [191 .llan.7, 11975 HARD IFLUSH AIRPLANESHELTER [75] Inventor: Robert L. Averill, Seattle, Wash.

[73] Assignee: The Boeing Company, Seattle,

Wash.

[22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 442,288

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,258,885 7/1966 Lodige52/64 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 581,240 6/1946 Great Britain 52/66738,418 10/1955 Great Britain 52/67 613,557 11/1948 Great Britain 52/67Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Donald A.Streck [57] ABSTRACT A shelter for airplanes characterized by beingflush to the ground when closed thereby being virtually invisible, andby being highly resistive to high energy explosive impact. The shelteris comprised of: a reinforced walled subsurface enclosure having aplurality of fixed columns to support a roof located such that anairplane can be lowered between the columns; a roof supported by aplurality of telescoping supports about its periphery such that the roofcan be raised to a level higher than an airplane when the airplane is atground level and lowered to be flush with the ground thus closing thesubsurface enclosure and being supported by the fixed columns; and afloor suspended from the roof whereon an airplane can be placed, saidfloor having holes therein over the fixed columns such that when theroof is raised, the floor and airplane will be at ground level with thetops of the fixed cloumns being below'the floor, and when the roof islowered, the fixed columns will pass through the holes in the floor asthe floor descends passing alongside the airplane to support the roof inits fully lowered position. The shelter for airplanes disclosed beingfurther provided with sealable ducts for the intake of air and outlet ofexhaust fumes so that the engine of the airplane contained therein maybe started when the shelter is in the closed position for maintenanceand instant readiness for takeoff after attack.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Jan. 7, 1975 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4Sheets-Sheet 2 II ill Patented Jan. 7, 1975' Patented Jan. 7, 19753,858,371

4 Sheets-Sheet .5

Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3,858,371

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ll-llAlRll) FLUSH AIRPLANE SHELTER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Relates to airplane shelters andmore particularly to bombproof shelters for military airplanes.

2. Description of the Prior Art In a bomb-proof airplane shelter theprimary consideration is making the structure capable of withstandingthe energy impulse of an exploding bomb. This is, of course, even morecritical when nuclear devices are considered. A curved roof such as aquonset or dome has a natural strength from the shape. Likewise, theshelter can be built into a hillside or mountain for additionalstrength. Hillsides and mountains, however, are

not always available. Any structure rising above ground level is visibleto enemy aircraft or ground observers and, therefore, more likely toreceive a direct hit and indicate critical target locations.

A flat roof, on the other hand, needs numerous supports or columns toresist the energy impact. With standard aircraft, there is insufficientroom between columns to more the aircraft. In one typical prior artteaching this problem is solved by having the columns hydraulicallyretractable. Not only is this a more complex structure than desirable,but it must be open on one side for the airplane to pass in or out withthe opening closable with blast-proof doors.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide anairplane shelter of flatroof design wherein the roof can be flush withthe ground providing virtually no indication of the existence of theshelter to ground or air observers at a distance.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an airplaneshelter of flatroof design wherein a minimum of movable supports for theroof are required It is another object of the present invention toprovide an airplane shelter of flati'oof design not requiringblast-proof doors for the entry and exit of the airplane.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an airplaneshelter of flatroof design wherein the airplane housed therein can bestarted with the shelter in the closed position to allow periodicmaintenance on the airplane and prior startup for instant exit uponopening the shelter after enemy attack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a partial cut-away drawing showingthe presently disclosed airplane shelter in the raised position bothabove and below ground.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away front elevation of the present invention in theopen or raised position.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away front elevation of the present invention in theclosed or lowered position.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cut-away side elevation of the present invention in theclosed or lowered position.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away side elevation of the exhaust duct assembly of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the exhaust duct assembly of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 2, theairplane shelter which is the subject of the present invention is shownin the open or raised position. Airplane 10 sits on movable metal floor12 at the level of the surrounding ground 14 from where it can be movedunhindered into or out of the shelter. A movable roof 16 of steel andconcrete is supported above the airplane It) by hydraulically movablecolumns 18. In the preferred embodiment as shown, the movable floor 12is hung by floor hanging columns 20 from movable roof 16. In analternate embodiment, the movable floor I2 could be supported, liftedand lowered by hydraulic columns under the movable floor 12, and themovable roof 16 could be supported above the movable floor 12 by supportcolumns replacing the floor hanging columns 20 designed for thecompression load of the movable roof 16 rather than the tensile load ofthe movable floor 12 and airplane 10. In the preferred embodiment shown,hydraulically movable columns 18 are housed in actuators 21 containedwithin the reinforced concrete walls 22 of underground enclosure 24having fixed floor 26 and reinforced concrete fixed roof support columns28 and drainage means 30. Roof support columns 28 are topped with guidedmovable plates 31 which move up with movable floor 12 filling the holes32 therein.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the embodiment shown open in FIG. 2 is nowshown in the closed or lowered position. Hydraulically movable columns18 of FIG. 1 have moved into hydraulic actuators 21 contained in walls22. Movable roof 16 is supported by walls 22 and fixed roof supportcolumns 28. The location of the air plane 10 in relation to supportcolumns 28 is best understood by reference to FIG. 4 which is a top viewof the present invention. The location of support columns 28 in aparticular airplane shelter is a function of the shape of the airplane10 to be housed therein. The support columns 28 must be located to passthrough corresponding holes 32 in movable floor I2 and alongside thestructures of airplane l0.

Referring to FIG. 4, the following additional features are shown. Sincethe-movable floor 12 is suspended from the movable roof 16 by floorhanging columns 20, floor locks 33 are provided to lock the movablefloor 12 in place in the raised or open position to preventlateral'motion or tipping of movable floor 12 during entry or exit ofairplane 10. Additionally, air intake duct as sembly 34 and exhaust ductassembly 36 are provided to allow operation of the engines of airplane10 when the shelter is in the lowered or closed position. Theseadditional features are shown further in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. FIG. 5 showsthe location and basic structure of the floor locks 33 as well as theair intake duct assembly 34 and exhaust duct assembly 36. The air intakeduct assembly 34 comprises a closable intake port 38 and an intake pipe40 leading as close as possible to the engine intake (not shown) orairplane 10.. Exhaust duct assembly 36 is shown in greater detail inFIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Extendable connecting pipes 42 are provided toconnect the exhaust pipes of airplane 10 to exhaust duct 44. Exhaustduct 44 leads to the outside at ground level where it terminates inexhaust port 46 which can be opened or closed by exhaust port stopper 48through exhaust port stopper actuator 50. Closable intake port 38 wouldbe constructed in the same manner as the closable port of exhaust ductassembly 36 just described.

Also referring to FIG. 6, floor lock 33 is shown as comprising a lockingpin 52 and a lock actuator 54. In the raised position locking pin 52 isextended and engages floor l2 locking it in position. Upon the commandto close the shelter, control circuitry (not shown) will cause the lockactuator 54 to retract the locking pin 52 from engagement with floor 12prior to lowering floor 12.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed 1. A shelter for anairplane comprising:

b. a substantially vertical wall disposed about the perimeter of saidfixed floor, said wall defining an enclosure wherein the airplane can beplaced without any member of the airplane extending above the top ofsaid wall;

c. a plurality of fixed support columns attached to said fixed floor,said support columns being disposed to pass alongside the members of theairplane when the airplane is in the enclosure while being substantiallyequally dispersed over said fixed floor;

d. a movable roof so shaped as to be supportable about its periphery bythe top of said substantially vertical wall and additionally supportableby the tops of said support columns when said movable roof is restingupon the top of said substantially vertical wall;

e. a movable floor above said fixed floor, below said movable roof, andwithin said enclosure, said movable floor being located a sufficientdistance below said movable roof to allow the airplane to be placedbetween said movable roof and said movable floor, said movable floorcontaining holes for the passage therethrough of said fixed supportcolumns as said movable floor is moved up and down, said movable floorbeing so shaped and movable that in one position the tops of said fixedsupport columns will be disposed sufficiently close to the surface ofsaid movable floor to allow the airplane to be moved onto and off ofsaid movable floor; means for connecting said movable roof to saidmovable floor such that said movable roof and said movable floor willmove up and down in combination'; and

g. means for moving said movable roof and said movable floor up and downin combination.

2. A shelter for an airplane comprising:

b. a substantially vertical wall disposed about the perimeter of saidfixed floor, said wall defining an enclosure wherein the airplane can beplaced without any member of the airplane extending above the top ofsaid wall;

c. a plurality of fixed support columns attached to said fixed floor,said support columns being disposed to pass alongside the members of theairplane when the airplane is in the enclosure while being substantiallyequally dispersed over said fixed floor;

d. a movable roof so shaped as to be supportable about its periphery bythe top of said substantially vertical wall and additionally supportableby the tops of said support columns when said movable roof is restingupon the top of said substantially vertical wall;

e. a movable floor above said fixed floor, below said movable roof, andwithin said enclosure, said movable floor being located a sufficientdistance below said movable roof to allow the airplane to be placedbetween said movable roof and said movable floor, said movable floorcontaining holes for passage therethrough of said fixed support columnsas said movable floor is moved up and down, said movable floor being soshaped and movable that in one position the tops of said fixed supportcolumns will be disposed sufficiently close to the surface of saidmovable floor to allow the airplane to be moved onto and off of saidmovable floor;

f. means for connecting said movable roof to said movable floor suchthat said movable roof and said movable floor will move up and down incombination; and

g. means for moving said movable roof and said movable floor up and downin combination, said means for moving said movable roof and said movablefloorup and down in combination being operably attached to lift andlower said movable roof, and, said movable floor being suspended fromsaid movable roof by said means for connecting said movable roof to saidmovable floor.

3. A shelter for an airplane as claimed in claim 2 wherein additionally:

said plurality of fixed support columns have movable plates attached tothe top thereof, said movable plates being so shaped as to fill saidholes in said movable floor for the passage therethrough of said fixedsupport columns when said movable floor is in said position to allow theairplane to be moved onto and off of said movable floor.

1. A shelter for an airplane comprising: a. a fixed floor; b. asubstantially vertical wall disposed about the perimeter of said fixedfloor, said wall defining an enclosure wherein the airplane can beplaced without any member of the airplane extending above the top ofsaid wall; c. a plurality of fixed support columns attached to saidfixed floor, said support columns being disposed to pass alongside themembers of the airplane when the airplane is in the enclosure whilebeing substantially equally dispersed over said fixed floor; d. amovable roof so shaped as to be supportable about its periphery by thetop of said substantially vertical wall and additionally supportable bythe tops of said support columns when said movable roof is resting uponthe top of said substantially vertical wall; e. a movable floor abovesaid fixed floor, below said movable roof, and within said enclosure,said movable floor being located a sufficient distance below saidmovable roof to allow the airplane to be placed between said movableroof and said movable floor, said movable floor containing holes for thepassage therethrough of said fixed support columns as said movable flooris moved up and down, said movable floor being so shaped and movablethat in one position the tops of said fixed support columns will bedisposed sufficiently close to the surface of said movable floor toallow the airplane to be moved onto and off of said movable floor; f.means for connecting said movable roof to said movable floor such thatsaid movable roof and said movable floor will move up and down incombination; and g. means for moving said movable roof and said movablefloor up and down in combination.
 2. A shelter for an airplanecomprising: a. a fixed floor; b. a substantially vertical wall disposedabout the perimeter of said fixed floor, said wall defining an enclosurewherein the airplane can be placed without any member of the airplaneextending above the top of said wall; c. a plurality of fixed supportcolumns attached to said fixed floor, said support columns beingdisposed to pass alongside the members of the airplane when the airplaneis in the enclosure while being substantially equally dispersed oversaid fixed floor; d. a movable roof so shaped as to be supportable aboutits periphery by the top of said substantially vertical wall andadditionally supportable by the tops of said support columns when saidmovable roof is resting upon the top of said substantially verticalwall; e. a movable floor above said fixed floor, below said movableroof, and within said enclosure, said movable floor being located asufficient distance below said movable roof to allow the airplane to beplaced between said movable roof and said movable floor, said movablefloor containing holes for passage therethrough of said fixed supportcolumns as said movable floor is moved up and down, said movable floorbeing so shaped and movable that in one position the tops of said fixedsupport columns will be disposed sufficiently close to the surface ofsaid movable floor to allow the airplane to be moved onto and off ofsaid movable floor; f. meanS for connecting said movable roof to saidmovable floor such that said movable roof and said movable floor willmove up and down in combination; and g. means for moving said movableroof and said movable floor up and down in combination, said means formoving said movable roof and said movable floor up and down incombination being operably attached to lift and lower said movable roof,and, said movable floor being suspended from said movable roof by saidmeans for connecting said movable roof to said movable floor.
 3. Ashelter for an airplane as claimed in claim 2 wherein additionally: saidplurality of fixed support columns have movable plates attached to thetop thereof, said movable plates being so shaped as to fill said holesin said movable floor for the passage therethrough of said fixed supportcolumns when said movable floor is in said position to allow theairplane to be moved onto and off of said movable floor.